In its eleven-season run on NBC, Frasier redefined the concept of the sitcom with such force that few other shows can claim to have had its level of influence on television (Seinfeld being another, for example.) As such, with 264 episodes under its belt, there have been instances where plots are unclear or character motivations left ambiguous.
These are minor errors, and acceptable for the most part, but then there are storylines that have some serious chinks that cannot be resolved easily within the context of the show. At the same time, the opposite is true as well, given that a few narrative decisions make perfect sense.
Most Realistic: Martin's Appearance At The Parole Hearing
One of the key aspects of Matin's character, and the reason for his presence in Frasier's home, revolves around the shooting incident that permanently forces him out of his beloved police career. The show indirectly refers to this event several times, but the actual weight of the situation is only realized when Martin goes to the parole hearing of the man who shot him.
There, he patiently waits for the board's decision, but shows no reaction whatsoever when parole is denied to the prisoner. It seems completely natural that he would be present here, and probably has been on several occasions. However, in typical Martin fashion, he doesn't reveal anything about the day to his boys.
Least Realistic: The Zoologist Supermodel
Frasier accidentally runs into Kelly Easterling while on an impromptu vacation to Cancun, and is delighted to learn that she is both a supermodel and a zoologist in the process of acquiring a PhD. This part is not unbelievable, although a bit of a stretch as both are essentially full-time jobs, but how on earth does the entire family keep missing her at the last moment?
Kelly requests her new beau to keep their tryst private until her own romantic life is sorted, which he does for a short time before he does a Frasier, as usual. At least the others get to see her dump him in the end.
Most Realistic: Leaving Donny For Niles
Niles' love for Daphne begins long before the end of his marriage to Maris, before she even meets Donny. However, when she learns of his feelings for her (from Frasier, high on tranquilizers at the time), she starts behaving in a similar manner.
It all comes to a head right before the wedding, as both Niles and Daphne share an outpouring of affection, and, consequently, they elope in a Winnebago. Some fans didn't enjoy the loss of romantic tension, but it certainly feels right.
Least Realistic: Martin And Ronee
Frasier discovers his ex-babysitter, Ronee Lawrence, and is instantly smitten by her charm. On the other hand, she states that she has always had a thing for his father, Martin, permanently ending any hopes he might have had. Strangely, the show decides to take this pairing further, ending in them getting married.
The power dynamic between an adult man and a young teenager is skewed enough, not to mention that Martin has always shown himself to be scrupulous and fair in all matters, not to mention highly traditional. To depict him practically thirsting for her does not fit his personality.
Most Realistic: Niles' Heart Attack
Niles' neuroticism far exceeds that of his brother's, which is really saying something. He picks on the smallest flaw, ruminating on it until there's nothing left — of either the topic or his peace of mind. Therefore, writing a heart attack scenario for this character is a smart decision made by the series.
More importantly, they touch on this subject gradually, first starting with a toothache, before a series of events perfectly aligning together make him consider a darker possibility. Niles is soon itted to a hospital for an imminent heart attack.
Least Realistic: The Impersonator
Frasier's suitcase is stolen right out of Cafe Nervosa, an act he deems to be trivial, and requests its return on his radio program (politely.) This doesn't work, as the thief, played by the hilariously brilliant Nathan Lane, then steals his BMW and starts pretending to be him wherever he goes.
When Frasier finally catches up to him, based on an answering machine message from a woman, the man begs for forgiveness, and announces that he would turn over a new leaf. However, he quickly changes his tune when he realizes that Frasier can't prove his identity, which is ridiculous, because his face is plastered on half the park benches in Seattle.
Most Realistic: Frasier's Relationship With Eddie
In the beginning, Frasier makes it very clear that he does not appreciate Eddie living in his fancy house, leaving muddy paw prints on his equally fancy furniture. In fact, this discomfort he has becomes a popular trope in the earlier seasons, but over time, their relationship goes through a major change.
Frasier never ends up showering the Jack Russel Terrier with as much love as his father does, but it is conceivable that the pair might have established an informal truce between them.
Least Realistic: Frederick's Goth Phase
Frederick, the only son of Fraiser and Lilith, is brought up by his mother in Massachusetts, where she doesn't let him play with other kids (but rather tells him to observe them clinically and make a note in his journal). That's just how Lilith is, and it's unrealistic in and of itself.
The environment in her home is clearly not conducive to play, which is why Martin decides to give his grandson a fun time playing baseball. Considering this, it's patently absurd that Frederick going goth doesn't faze his mother in the slightest.
Most Realistic: Bulldog's Romantic Scam
For the longest time, Bulldog doesn't see Roz as any more than a colleague (which means he inflicts his toxic masculinity on her constantly.) She feels the exactly same way, except she actually despises him with every fiber of her being.
When he starts developing feelings for her, he doesn't go up to her and talk about it like any other person would: he pretends that he enjoys the company of her daughter, Alice, and intimidates all of Roz's dates so that she has no choice but to turn to him for emotional . Of course he would resort to trickery even when he's in love. The only uncharacteristic move he makes in this whole situation is being vulnerable in front of her; fortunately for him, she lets him down gently enough.
Least Realistic: Maris Crane
The absence of Maris Crane is a trope enjoyed by the audience immensely, so much so that the creators chose never to show her onscreen (except in one case, as a silhouette through a shower curtain.)
Nevertheless, keeping a character that's constantly talked about on the show, but never giving her a single appearance or line of dialogue doesn't make any sense. Maris should have been displayed, in all her pale-faced glory, at least once, because she's basically nothing more than a nebulous phantom.